The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Minutes of the 21st Meeting of the Standing Committee

(19-24 October 1998, Gland, Switzerland)

Minutes of the 21st Meeting of the Standing Committee

First Day, 21 October 1998

1. Hungary (the Chairperson) welcomed the large gathering and noted that all nine Standing Committee (SC) regional representatives were present, as well as almost all the alternate members. She was pleased that so many Observer States were present, which showed increased interest in the Convention. She noted that, because this was the last regular SC meeting before the 7^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP7), it was an especially important one. She greeted the Partner Organizations and expressed confidence in benefiting from their expertise during the meeting. She acknowledged the hard work of the Bureau in preparing the documentation received by the delegates.

2. The Chair noted that the four SC Subgroups met over the previous two days to prepare the way for the SC's decision-making. She stressed the need for the participants to bear in mind, throughout its debates, the Convention's mission: "the conservation and wise use of wetlands by national action and international cooperation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world".

Agenda item 2: Adoption of the agenda

3. The proposed agenda was adopted by consensus.

Agenda item 3: Admission of observers

4. It was noted that the Observer States are entitled to attend and do not need admission. The formality of admitting the observer organizations was adopted by consensus.

Agenda item 4: Statements by the Partner Organizations

5. Mr David McDowell, Director General of IUCN - The World Conservation Union, welcomed the delegates and said that IUCN was privileged to host one of the most dynamic of the environmental treaties. He noted that IUCN will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary in Fontainebleau in two weeks’ time, and celebrating partnerships like this one. He confirmed the importance of this last SC meeting before COP7, which will chart the course of the Convention’s work into the next century. He applauded the evolution of the Convention’s focus upon the global water crisis, the effects of climate change on freshwater and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity in developing countries; he saw more change in the past three years than ever before, in the development from a focus upon indicator species to becoming a lead partner in global biodiversity efforts. He applauded the new partnerships with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Water Partnership, the World Water Council, etc., and hoped for progress in developing MOUs with the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). He was impressed by Ramsar’s first-ever long-term link with the private sector, with the Danone Group, in order to improve communications and training efforts.

6. Mr McDowell promised that the Partner Organizations will rise to the challenge of assisting in new efforts and noted evidence of recent NGO contributions in the SC21 documentation. The Ramsar Convention is unique in terms of the NGO contributions to its work; as a case in point, he mentioned the Global Biodiversity Forum planned with IUCN leadership to precede COP7. The GBF has proved to be a valuable global instrument in which experts can discuss the advice they can provide to the 1000+ delegates to the COP. He thanked the Chairperson and the Secretary General for their successful cooperation over the past triennium.

7. Hungary (the Chairperson) thanked Mr McDowell for his remarks and expressed the SC’s best wishes for his future career upon his upcoming departure from IUCN.

8. Mr John O’Sullivan, BirdLife International, avowed that BirdLife is delighted to participate at this time of the equipping of the Convention with new tools, and foresaw that COP7 should add new structures as important to the Convention as the Regina Amendments were. BirdLife strongly supports the new "Vision for the Ramsar List". It has long been agreed that Ramsar obligations involve much more than designating one site for the Ramsar List, but it had never been concluded what, and he hoped the BirdLife’s Important Bird Areas network can be helpful. He said that never before have there been such opportunities for establishing new tools and foresaw a need to relate them to one another.

9. Mr O’Sullivan noted that BirdLife International has always stressed the importance of National Reports (NRs) and applauded the proposed Ramsar Regional Overviews; he hoped that the Overviews would pull no punches where shortfalls in meeting obligations are evident. He lauded the posting of the NRs on the Web and congratulated those Contracting Parties (CPs) that had already submitted their NRs, and urged the remaining CPs to report as a matter of urgency – the failure to provide thoughtful NRs will hereafter be very obvious. He asked all participants to urge submission of full NRs and the prompt payment of their dues to the Convention.

10. Hungary (the Chairperson) underlined his comments on National Reports and hoped that the Bureau will receive all NRs, as it did for Brisbane, but in time to allow evaluation of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for COP7. She counted on BirdLife International for continued support.

11. Cassandra Phillips, WWF International, observed that WWF is 10 years older than Ramsar, played a role in its creation, and continues to promote it actively. With offices now in about 50 countries, WWF can provide much experience from the field. She endorsed BirdLife’s comments about National Reporting. WWF is presently following up on the Strategic Plan and Brisbane Resolutions in many ways, for example a) in contributions to the STRP and the CPs in giving guidance on the threat to wetlands from toxic pollution, b) in contributions by WWF’s Social Policy Unit on integration of socio-economic values in management guidelines, c) on contributions on alien/invasive species, and d) on Recommendation 6.3 on indigenous and local people. At COP7, WWF will follow closely the progress on a Vision for the Ramsar List and considers this a very valuable initiative.

12. Ms Phillips noted that WWF will produce a report for COP7 reflecting on the Ramsar Convention’s first 27 years with recommendations on the way forward, which will form a basis for WWF’s future lobbying. She observed that the Chairperson of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel, Dr Yaa Ntaimoa-Baidu, has recently become a senior staff member of WWF International.

13. Dr Michael Moser, Wetlands International, expressed pleasure in reading the documentation for this meeting, with its evidence of dynamic efforts: new Contracting Parties, new strategic partnerships, and many new tools emerging from a strongly analytic approach. He endorsed the proposed Bureau Work Programme 1999 and noted how closely that fits with the Ramsar collaborative arrangements already in place with Wetlands International. He anticipated eagerly the development of the Vision for the Ramsar List.

14. Dr Moser mentioned that Wetlands International will hold its board meeting in Dakar, Senegal, in November 1998, coupled with the 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development, which has received endorsement from five convention secretariats and expects 450 participants from more than 90 countries. The board meeting will review the development of Wetlands International since its creation three years ago. There have been some growing pains at the Asia-Pacific regional HQ in the past year, but the new corporate identity has settled in smoothly. Wetlands International enjoys a splendid new headquarters in Wageningen with generous support from the Government of the Netherlands, and there have been exciting global and regional developments. The Global Review of Wetland Resources project, with UK funding, will produce exciting new information. Wetlands International continues to assist in the development of National Wetland strategies and initiatives in a large number of countries.

15. Dr Moser noted that he will soon be stepping down as Director of Wetlands International (AEME) for family commitments, and thanked the SC, the Partners, and Bureau staff for a great 10 years, in which he has attended all SC meetings since 1988. He is pleased to be leaving the Ramsar Convention in such great shape and hopes to continue working with the Ramsar family in his new free lance capacity.

16. Hungary (the Chairperson) wished Dr Moser success for the future and expressed satisfaction that he will not be entirely out of sight. She noted the Bureau’s planned participation in the Dakar meeting.

Agenda item 5: Matters arising from Standing Committee 20

17. No matters from SC20 not otherwise covered in the present agenda were put forward.

Agenda item 6: Matters arising from the regional meetings

18. The Secretary General observed that a review of the reports of the Pan-European, Pan-African, and Pan-American meetings shows that the only issue not otherwise covered is that the Pan-African meeting recommended for COP consideration 1) to start a process to amend the Convention to change its name to "Convention on Wetlands" and in the French translation to "zones humides", and 2) the development of a water protocol under the Convention. Both issues would be significant if followed up for the COP.

19. Uganda said that African CPs are currently discussing these issues and may propose them for COP discussion. The Chairperson reminded the meeting of the 60-day deadline for submission of draft decisions prior to the COP.

Agenda item 7.1: The Secretary General’s report

20. The Secretary General referred to DOC. 7.1 and emphasized two omissions, regarding UK funding to regional meetings and the work of the US NGO Ramsar Committee. He noted progress since the last meeting of the Standing Committee, with 18 new CPs, closer to the Strategic Plan’s "universal membership", and now more than 70 million hectares included in the Ramsar List. He affirmed the value of working relations with the Partner Organizations and expressed gratitude to Latvia, Costa Rica, and Uganda for hosting regional meetings, as well as to the CPs who assisted delegate travel financially. He also thanked the hosts of the next two regional meetings, New Zealand and the Philippines. He was especially grateful to the Government of Sweden for its generous donation to ensure participation in these, and he thanked the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its offer to host a subregional meeting aimed at encouraging neighboring countries to join the Convention.

21. The Secretary General noted the Convention’s progress in communications and highlighted developments in electronic outreach, especially with the Convention’s Web site, which in August recorded more than 6,000 users accessing more than 22,000 pages. He expressed appreciation to Dwight Peck for assistance in that effort. He also drew attention to the newly produced Directory of Wetland Management Training Opportunities and hoped that its first edition will lead to improvements in future.

22. The Regional Coordinator for Europe, Tim Jones, drew attention to ¶ 46 of the SG’s Report on the study of Europe’s National Wetland Policies (NWP) carried out by Maryse Mahy and her successor Anett Zellei, working with CPs to assess implementation of NWPs; he hoped to have a report ready for the Web by the end of the year. He noted the relatively low number of new sites in Europe since SC20, save for the Ukraine and the UK, for reasons which are not clear, but hoped for more new sites before COP7.

23. The Regional Coordinator for the Neotropical Region, Montserrat Carbonell, observed that the Government of Guatemala has approved the Management Guidance Procedure report on Laguna El Tigre, which will soon be circulated. She noted increased interest in the Convention in the Caribbean subregion, especially because of the recent regional meeting and the work of Trinidad & Tobago and the Bahamas in promoting the benefits of membership for the Small Island Developing States. She expressed appreciation for the interest of the Geneva missions of the Neotropical States in promoting the Convention.

24. The Regional Coordinator for Africa, Anada Tiéga, drew attention to the fact that some ten African countries are presently in the process of joining the Convention and thanked the Partner Organizations for their support on this.

25. The Regional Coordinator for Asia, Rebecca D’Cruz, thanked the Philippines and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their offers to host regional and subregional meetings and reported on the progress of the Lao PDR, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia in joining the Convention. She is giving priority to cooperation with bilateral and multilateral instruments in the region and sought the help of CPs in the region, and thanked them for their help thus far.

26. Hungary (the Chairperson) queried the Secretary General’s report relating to possible Ramsar Bureau "membership" in the South East Asian Technical Advisory Committee of the Global Water Partnership, when Standing Committee 20 had shown insufficient support for such membership. It was explained that the text refers only to talks concerning recognition of Ramsar as a partner in a working relationship with the SEATAC.

27. The Islamic Republic of Iran thanked the Bureau for its efforts in the documentation and the Web site and expressed the need for more support for human resources development, particularly for 1) support for participation of wetland managers and planners in training programmes, for up-to-date technology, 2) training for wetland technicians, despite the difficult task of mobilizing finances for this, and 3) research and data collection.

Agenda item 7.2: the Bureau’s 1998 Work Programme

28. Australia queried references in Section 3.2.5 Oceania to the World’s Greatest Wetlands and an unnamed site in Australia. It was explained by the Bureau that resources have not permitted much work on this potential new tool and the phrasing was inherited from the Bureau’s 1998 work programme. Assurances were given that, should this work proceed, there would be consultation with the relevant CPs.

29. Hungary (the Chairperson) recognized the Bureau’s cooperation with other environmental instruments, especially MOUs with the CBD and CMS, potentially with FCCC and CCD, and with regional groups, which make an additional burden on the Bureau’s resources.

Agenda item 7.3: Draft Work Programme for 1999

30. The Secretary General noted that the Bureau staff is small for so ambitious a programme, but it is feasible because of help from the CPs and the Partner NGOs.

31. Hungary (the Chairperson) invited comment on the proposed work programme and noted that the Bureau has much additional work to do in preparation for COP7. The programme may have to be amended later to account for issues emerging from COP7.

32. The Secretary General, referring to the work programme for the Asian region, advised that a subregional breakdown had been inadvertently included and would be removed. He also acknowledged that the breakdown showed Taiwan as a sovereign state; that this was also an error and did not indicate that the Convention recognized Taiwan as such.

33. Israel queried the SG’s statement concerning Israel’s inclusion in the Asian regional grouping. The SG clarified that he was making no assertion, merely pointing out that the matter was under discussion.

34. Australia expressed the desire to submit written comments on the Oceania part of the Work Programme, which was welcomed by the Chairperson.

Decision SC21.1: The Bureau’s proposed Work Programme for 1999 was approved by consensus.

Agenda item 8: Regional categorization

35. Hungary (the Chairperson) introduced the issue and recalled SC20’s discussion of Strategic Plan Action 8.1.3 on the roles and responsibilities of the SC and Action 8.1.2 on regional representation on the SC, which were treated together here. SC20 did not complete discussion of these because of concerns raised about regionalization, and a subgroup was established to deal with the whole issue. Canada, Hungary (chair), the Islamic Republic of Iran, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, and Uruguay comprised the Subgroup and Germany assisted. A discussion paper was sent to the group members for comment, but only two replied. A summary paper was distributed at regional meetings held so far and sent to all other Contracting Parties for comment, but there was very little feedback. The Chairperson felt compelled to prepare the agenda paper, including the draft decision and the proposals in DOC. 8.1. She summarized the main innovations in the proposals: 1) six regional groups, 2) non-CPs to be assigned to regions in advance, 3) groups to nominate CPs to the SC, 4) a proportional system of SC membership, and 5) elimination of the category of alternate members.

36. She reported on the results of the Subgroup meeting on Monday: different conventions use different regional administrative breakdowns, and CITES was found to be most suitable for Ramsar. The CITES model allows flexibility for CPs near the borders of the regions to choose which region they would wish to belong to. Russia requested permanent observer status at all Asian regional meetings, which the Subgroup recommended should be considered at the next Asian meeting. The proposal had an annex listing countries in each of the regions, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, raising objections, proposed alternative regional categories.

37. The Subgroup reached consensus on all paragraphs of the draft decision except 4 and 5. Accordingly, the present draft shows both the original proposal and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s alternatives for these. Iran had also supplied an alternative annex of countries based upon its alternative proposal. The Subgroup could not resolve the issue on ¶ 4 and 5 and asked the SC to consider the whole matter.

38. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed gratitude for the Chair’s objective reporting of the Subgroup’s findings, insisting that Iran’s suggestion was not politically motivated; rather it follows from the practice of other conventions and is in the UN tradition. The intention of the alternative proposal was not political, whereas the original proposal was political. The CITES grouping is just an indicative list from the secretariat and was never decided upon by any intergovernmental body, and thus cannot serve as a model. Iran’s proposal is exactly the same as that used by many other environmental conventions.

39. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that different conventions follow different practices but there is no general rule. All Ramsar rules try to bring the Convention closer to the biodiversity-related conventions, thus CITES, and that is why FCCC and Basel were not considered.

40. Italy shared the view that linkage with other conventions should be guided by those dealing with territories (like Ramsar and CMS) and agreed that CITES was thus not a good model. The aim should be networking within biogeographical regions and should not be influenced by political or administrative concerns.

41. Germany supported the draft decision’s original proposal, for which there are good geographical reasons.

42. The USA agreed with Germany and Italy in favoring the original proposal based on biogeographical regions, which makes sense and brings no dramatic changes to past Ramsar practice. The USA strongly endorsed the Chair’s original proposal.

43. Hungary noted the views expressed at the Pan-European regional meetings about a union of east and west Europe, and thus found Iran’s alternative proposal unacceptable.

44. Uruguay expressed the Neotropical CPs’ view favoring the original proposal based on biogeographical regions on ¶ 4. On ¶ 5, the Representative advised that he would need to consult with the Neotropical CPs as to whether they prefer the original version, without the flexibility clause. At the Pan-American meeting, the Caribbean Contracting Parties were interested in studying the alternatives on regional representation that could best suit this subregion.

45. Malaysia noted that there is no consensus on how to categorize the regions and stressed that what is important is how the decision affects the Asian region. The matter should first be considered by the Asian region before any further discussion here. The position of the Asian region should be ascertained at the February regional meeting in the Philippines, and then communicated to COP7.

46. Senegal referred to the Pan-African Meeting’s discussion of this matter in July 1998, where there was a clear preference for the six regions of the original proposal. If there should be no consensus, the matter should be discussed by the COP.

47. Egypt endorsed Malaysia’s view that any decision affecting a region should first be taken by that region, for it would be unwise to try to force an arbitrary grouping upon a region.

48. Australia supported the original grouping based upon biogeographical considerations and supported the Oceania grouping. Australia takes its regional obligations seriously and, with Wetlands International, co-supports the Oceania regional officer who seeks accession of the South Pacific nations. Australia endorsed the original proposal.

49. The Islamic Republic of Iran made a point of clarification on the statements from other regional groups that they support the original proposal. He is certain that Uruguay was not proposing that the Neotropics should decide for Asia; that Germany was merely supporting the conflation of 2 European regions into 1; that the USA meant that it supported the original proposal concerning the North American region; that Africa was not saying it wished to decide for Asia, only that the COP should make that decision; that Australia supported an Oceania group and supported Malaysia’s view of leaving the matter for the Asian group to determine.

50. Iran asked what is the purpose of regional groupings? It is to promote the objectives of the Strategic Plan through regional cooperation and regional organizations. If the regional grouping is so artificial that it does not thus contribute, then it must be reconsidered. If members within regions cannot work together at all, it does not contribute to those objectives; e.g., the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has not been able to function at all in the Asia region for nearly two years because of an inability to schedule meetings. It is practicability, feasibility, and serving the objectives of the Convention that are important in regional groupings.

51. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed the belief that the foregoing speakers were referring to the annex of countries also, which cannot easily be separated from the draft decision. It is true that the Asian CPs have had no chance to discuss this matter yet at a regional meeting. But she drew attention to the fact that the Strategic Plan mandates the SC and the COP to review the Standing Committee representation, not the regions themselves. It is the SC that must bring a recommendation to the COP. She noted that the goal of this Convention is wetland conservation and wise use, very different from that of the CTBT, and this should be borne in mind.

52. The Islamic Republic of Iran clarified that he had only meant to say that the earlier speakers had not intended to decide anything for the Asian group, and were only speaking of their own regions.

53. The USA observed that Iran’s issue is that the regions should decide their own memberships. He noted a conflict between this and the proposed ¶ 5 assigning regions and the flexibility clause, allowing near-boundary CPs to exercise their sovereign rights to participate in alternative regions, and reported that the Subgroup endorsed the flexibility clause but did not endorse the regions deciding for themselves.

54. Israel supported the USA’s remark and supported the majority of speakers and the original proposal. Israel, as a member of the Asian region, fully intends to participate in the Asian regional meeting in the Philippines. He expressed the view that the alternative proposal is intended only to exclude Israel from the region. Israel voiced gratitude to the Chair for her objective report and to the Bureau for its documentation. Israel would resist all attempts to politicize the Ramsar Convention. The alternative proposal of Iran is alien to the Ramsar tradition of biogeographical grouping. Israel felt that the purpose was to single out Israel and prevent it from contributing to the Ramsar Convention, and was suspicious of Iran’s motives for advancing its proposal. Israel asked that Ramsar not be politicized and that political issues be left to the UN General Assembly. Israel will respect any decision of the Asian regional meeting, but only if the consensus is based upon Ramsar Contracting Parties in Asia, not on the opinion of the Asia Group at the United Nations.

55. Malaysia expressed interest in the US view on the contradiction of the regions deciding for themselves versus the sovereign rights of CPs to decide. Malaysia supported Iran’s view that Asian countries must decide which CPs are in the Asian family, lest it be like someone entering a house without knocking. He urged that the Asian CPs decide for themselves in February and bring a recommendation to the COP for a final decision, so that other Asian CPs not present here may have a voice as well. He raised the question of effectiveness – not an imposed artificial grouping, but rather one that can advance the objectives of the Ramsar Convention.

56. Hungary (the Chairperson) led the meeting through a consideration of other provisions of the draft decision except ¶ 4 and 5 and clarified questions on the suppression of SC alternates in favor of expanded membership, on the rationale for basing the proportional representation upon 12, and on the removal of the insistence upon Ministry of Foreign Affairs notification of the names of individual SC representatives, as too cumbersome. With input from Uganda and Egypt, the new wording requiring notification from administrative authorities "by diplomatic channels" was preferred.

57. The Secretary General raised the notion that mention of support for representatives from developing countries should be expanded to include countries with economies in transition, in line with COP6’s Resolution VI.6 expanding Small Grants Fund eligibility to the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee list. He assured Egypt that including economies in transition would not affect the level of support for developing countries, and it was agreed to add "countries in transition" to the eligibility for support.

58. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that consensus had been reached on all of the proposed COP draft decisions except ¶ 4 and 5, including Annex II.

59. Panama stipulated that the report to COP7 should mention Panama’s preference for a proportional representation based on a representative for 10 rather than 12 CPs.

60. Hungary (the Chairperson) returned the discussion to the unresolved ¶ 4 and 5 and noted that the SC must bring a proposal to the COP.

61. The USA suggested that Egypt’s and Malaysia’s wish for an Asian discussion before the COP could be met by a caucus early in the COP.

62. Hungary (the Chairperson) pointed out that the bodies of the Ramsar Convention have always arrived at decisions by consensus, but no consensus appeared now to be possible. It would appear that a vote would be required for the first time in Ramsar history.

63. The Islamic Republic of Iran would not urge violating the tradition of consensus by bringing the matter to the precedent of a vote, but would not object to that, and if the Chair would insist upon a vote, Iran would have some further comments to make.

64. Malaysia reiterated its view that the Asian family should be left to decide its own membership. He urged that the issue not be decided by a vote, which would create a dangerous precedent. He recommended following the path of consensus, with the Asian Parties deciding what is good for them.

65. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed a strong preference for consensus, but the Strategic Plan requires a decision on this issue, and with no consensus, a vote appears to be necessary.

66. Italy pointed out problems with Iran’s alternative proposal, e.g. the regional grouping of Greece with New Zealand. But the real problem is that groupings are most feasible under biogeographical criteria, combining Parties with similar concerns in cooperative groups.

67. Hungary (the Chairperson) reminded the meeting that Article 5 of the Convention calls for cooperation in all circumstances, not just within regions.

68. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed sorrow at having to challenge the Chair’s legal interpretation of Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure and called for legal advice. Rule 14 allows votes on decisions, not on draft decisions. The issue should be reported back to COP7. He was sorry to challenge the Chair, but had to because the Chair was taking sides on the issue.

69. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that the decision to be taken is on what draft decision is to be put forward to the COP, and that to distinguish between decisions and draft decisions is a quibble.

70. The Islamic Republic of Iran brought a point of order and challenged the Chair’s interpretation and called for legal advice.

71. The Secretary General pointed out that the Convention has no legal advisor, never having required one before, and agreed with the Chair that the SC is only deciding on "transmitting documents to the COP7", not deciding upon the substance of the regional grouping issue itself. That is a decision that the SC is required and empowered to take.

72. The USA supported the interpretation of the Chair and the Secretary General. The USA had understood in the Subgroup meeting that the Islamic Republic of Iran was comfortable with allowing consensus to proceed with Iran’s reservations to be noted, and saw no legal issues involved.

73. Malaysia urged retaining the principle of consensus and suggested that both proposals be square-bracketed and put to the COP for decision. That would leave time for the Asian CPs to discuss and avoid getting groups of people working at cross purposes.

74. Uganda suggested that the SC transmit to the COP the consensus text with Iran’s proposal attached, which may seem like postponing a decision but would be preferable to voting.

75. Hungary (the Chairperson) drew the suggested distinction between 1) calling for a vote on one version and 2) reaching a consensus on transmitting bracketed versions to the COP, with an explanation included with the report of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee to COP7.

Other comment
76. Malaysia supported transmitting bracketed alternatives. Canada would favor sending both options as a consensus decision as long as it would be noted that the majority favored one proposal and one SC member supported the other. The Islamic Republic of Iran would have no problem with the alternative proposal being identified as having been proposed by Iran. Australia said that Oceania would support transmitting both options with a note showing relative support. Uruguay agreed to send both options in square brackets with an indication of more support for the one than for the other. Egypt, though not a voting member, supported Uganda’s suggestion of sending bracketed alternatives.

Decision SC21.2: The Standing Committee determined to forward for consideration by COP7 the proposed draft decision on regional categorization, as amended by the Subgroup on Categorization, including the two bracketed proposals by the majority and by the Islamic Republic of Iran, together with Annex I in alternative versions, and Annex II.

77. El Salvador announced that El Salvador signed accession papers for the Convention on 14 May, which were ratified on 2 July, and it is hoped that El Salvador will participate in COP7 as a Contracting Party. He paid tribute to the cooperation between government officials and NGOs that made this accession possible.

78. Hungary (the Chairperson) welcomed this news warmly and hoped that the accession process would be completed before COP7.

Agenda items 8.3 and 8.4: Composition of and membership in the STRP

79. The Deputy Secretary General pointed out that two issues were being considered: 1) recommending members to COP7 for the next STRP, and 2) modifying the STRP’s modus operandi. Resolution VI.7 called for STRP to act as nodes in a network of experts, but this potential has not been reached; this is no reflection on STRP members at all, but an acknowledgement that the STRP cannot work in a vacuum. Mechanisms are required to allow STRP to deliver the products required by the COP. The Bureau urges that a focal point be established in each CP as a contact for the STRP, a global network for dialogue on issues where the STRP needs the input of more experts, to increase the flow of information. The draft decision urges that the Partner Organizations become full members of the STRP, facilitating greater access to their specialist groups, and also urges reciprocal observer status with the equivalent expert bodies or Conventions with which Ramsar has either MOUs or MOCs.

80. The Subgroup recommended, in addition to the new provisions, the traditional organization of members and alternates, pending resolution of the regionalization debate.

81. Dr Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Chair of the STRP, expressed agreement with the contents of the proposed revision of STRP; the Bureau’s proposal will bring on board more expertise and better flow of information. She urged that the SC move in this direction even if it should be necessary to continue the present structure for another triennium. She made three further suggestions:

a) There is a need for a clear recognition of procedures and for a clarification of the relationship between the STRP and the Bureau: how independently can the STRP function? How much influence or control should the Bureau exercise upon the STRP?

b) The SC should consider an independent budget for the STRP, over which the STRP Chair has some control. Then STRP can decide on frequency of meetings, recruit needed expertise, etc.

c) The SC should consider setting up an operational budget for the STRP Chair to organize the work of the STRP, unless the Chair comes from a well-funded organization.

82. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that the Subgroup tried to consider STRP and regionalization issues together and refined it to the question: Should the STRP mirror the structure of the SC in terms of regional representation? The Subgroup approved the network of focal points, recognizing that STRP cannot be expected to solve all the problems by themselves, and urged that Partners become full members.

83. It was considered that the idea of an independent budget for STRP would be technically feasible but unlikely, given the Subgroup on Finance’s conservative views of the proposed budget for the next triennium and the fact that the Chairperson of the Standing Committee herself does not command an independent budget.

84. Dr Ntiamoa-Baidu clarified that there is no present problem or conflict in the STRP relationship with the Bureau, but the question should be raised at some point of how independent STRP can be, within the SC’s and COP’s mandate, on choosing its focus on issues, relative priorities, etc.

85. Hungary (the Chairperson) urged the STRP and the Bureau to continue working in the spirit of cooperation and take notice of Dr Ntaimoa-Baidu’s request for guidance on this issue for future STRPs. The Chair asked that these comments be recorded for future reference.

Further discussion
86. Hungary (the Chairperson) suggested that the principle should be accepted that the composition of the STRP should mirror that of the SC. Uruguay, Canada, and Australia supported that, some of them urging the recommendation of a traditional slate of names as a fallback option failing resolution of the regionalization issue. France urged representation by areas of expertise rather than by region and noted that no specialists in human sciences had been selected for the proposed list of nominations. The Secretary General urged simplicity in the recommendation to COP, just the "mirror" principle with a promise of suggested names afterward. The Chair noted that though selection by expertise had been tried, regional criteria for STRP selection simply could not be avoided.

Decision SC21.3: The Standing Committee determined by consensus that the Scientific and Technical Review Panel representation should mirror that of the composition of the Standing Committee, and adopted the text of the proposed draft decision for transmission to the COP, without the suggested names of nominees. These will be recommended by the Conference Committee at COP7.

Agenda item 9: Outreach Programme

87. The Deputy Secretary General noted that the several parts of the Outreach Programme will be considered separately but should also be seen as part of a whole programme.

Agenda item 9.1: Wetland Conservation Award

88. Canada, Chair of the Subgroup, reported on the Subgroup’s consideration of the Award process: with 74 completed nominations received, the Bureau established a thorough shortlisting process and gave the Subgroup a shortlist of names with documentation and suggested working principles. The Subgroup decided that "In Memoriam" awards should not be considered, but that a separate means for recognizing posthumous achievements at COP7 should be explored. The Subgroup recommended the selection of 5 laureates, splitting two of the three categories, and recommended adoption of the proposed "inexpensive piece of art", which was promptly unveiled.

89. Italy urged that not only the winners of the award, but also the reasons for their winning, be given prominent display in the media, and the Secretary General described media plans to capitalize upon the award to promote the Convention through written and video interviews, presentation at COP7, etc.

Decision SC21.3 bis: The Standing Committee agreed to award the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award jointly to Professor Vitaly G. Krivenko (Russian Federation) and Victor Pulido (Peru) in the individual category, jointly to the Lake Naivasha Riparian Association (Kenya) and the Society for Protection of Prespa (Greece) in the NGO category, and to the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program (Canada) in the government organization category, and to adopt the diploma and piece of art proposed by the Bureau for presentation to each of the laureates.

90. The Secretary General acknowledged his appreciation for the work of Mireille Katz in heading up the Wetland Conservation Award project, which involved an enormous amount of effort in following up on nominations, negotiating the artwork, and preparing shortlist procedures.

Agenda item 9.2: New graphic identity

91. The Secretary General described the background to the search for a new graphic identity to express the expansion of the Convention’s concerns from waterfowl habitat to the broader issues of sustainable use of wetland resources. This wider approach has been occasioned in large part by the Convention’s expansion to the developing countries, where wetland issues frequently involve questions of people’s livelihood. SC20 had requested the preservation of the original logo in any new attempt, but that proved to be impossible. The Bureau commissioned five professional design agencies to suggest concepts and chose to pursue the concept presented by Saatchi and Saatchi, with a focus on the distinctive name "Ramsar" rather than upon any pictorial elements that would not be adaptable to small sizes.

92. Saatchi and Saatchi, design firm, made a PowerPoint presentation of the evolution of the search for a new graphical identity and explanation of the conceptual and artistic reasoning behind the proposed new logo, and its flexibility in use.

93. Canada, Chair of the Subgroup, thanked Saatchi and Saatchi for its work and recommended the proposed logo as excellent for promoting the Convention’s new identity, to attract government and corporate interest. The downside is the loss of 25 years of tradition, with a logo that is in use around the world, but examples of other logo changes show that it can be done smoothly and with great effect. The Subgroup was "reasonably happy" with the proposed logo and recommended that the SC adopt it.

94. Michael Moser, Wetlands International, was invited to speak about Wetlands International’s change of logo and noted that in that case there was no option of staying with the old logo. The key is that logos cannot be decided by committee, and Ramsar has taken the sensible route of seeking expert advice; he urged that it not be left for everyone to tweak the proposed logo, that it be accepted at one go or rejected outright. He urged that the transition to the new logo be made swiftly and cleanly.

95. The Secretary General suggested that the new logo be accepted and be launched as of 1 January. He foresaw no significant financial implications to the changeover.

Decision SC21.4: The Standing Committee adopted the new Ramsar logo designed by Saatchi and Saatchi and decided that the Bureau should launch it on 1 January 1999 by appropriate means.

96. Colombia wished to record her sense that the new logo represents the water element very well but is lacking any sense of the element of flora and fauna, which is very important.

97. Hungary (the Chairperson) appreciated that concern but felt that no single approach would please everyone. She was pleased to see that the distinctive word "Ramsar" is once again to be highlighted.

Agenda item 9.4: World Wetlands Day/Week

98. The Deputy Secretary General noted the increasing success of the WWD concept, with more than 55 countries having notified the Bureau of their 1998 WWD activities at national and local levels. The suggested theme for WWD 1999 is the same as that of the COP: "People and Wetlands: the Vital Link". The Bureau will again provide modest resource materials and a quotable statement from the SG, and he urged the CPs to begin thinking now about how best to promote this theme of local people managing their wetlands. He called WWD a "growth phenomenon."

99. Uganda called WWD very useful in mobilizing government and local support for activities and mentioned Uganda’s very successful celebrations in 1998. He inquired about any progress in formalizing World Wetlands Day with the UN and about the process of deciding upon themes in future.

100. The Secretary General explained that, with generous assistance from the Malaysian mission to the UN in New York last summer, the Bureau prepared paperwork for soliciting UN recognition of WWD but missed the deadline for consideration in that cycle; since then the Bureau has not been able to follow up this matter. Concerning future themes for WWD, this matter should be included in the agenda of the SC22 meeting.

101. Malaysia kindly offered to check with its mission in New York and ascertain at what stage the process reposes, and will come back to the Bureau for any further documentation.

102. Hungary (the Chairperson) urged CPs to use World Wetlands Day/World Wetlands Week to promote the Convention and raise public awareness of Ramsar values of wise use.

Agenda item 9.6: Ramsar Center proposal from Panama

103. Panama made a PowerPoint presentation of its proposal to create a Ramsar Center as part of its City of Knowledge complex in former US military facilities:

Very briefly, the presentation described Panama’s unique suitability to host the proposed Ramsar Regional Center, in terms of its biological potential and its technical infrastructure, and urged that the Regional Center will constitute an important mechanism for coordination, training, research and other exchanges relating to wetland conservation and wise use. The Ramsar Regional Center for the Western Hemisphere, located in Panama City, will support the implementation of the Ramsar Convention through research and studies on the management and rational use of wetlands, with attention to biodiversity and the benefits that wetlands offer to the human population. It will promote the Convention’s objectives through the development of seminars, conferences, and meetings at the regional level and will establish links among the Contracting Parties to facilitate the application of the Convention through coordination and exchange between the Western Hemisphere and other regions of the world.

The Government of the Republic of Panama is committed to conferring a concession to the Ramsar Regional Center as an international center for scientific research based at the City of Knowledge, with all the incentives conferred by the Government to the members of this international academic and scientific complex located within the former Clayton Military Base at the border of the Panama Canal. The Government also engages to participate in co-financing of salary, support, and services expenses.

The Center’s mission will be "to provide support in the huge task of ‘caring for the earth’" and promote human well-being through the conservation and rational use of wetlands in the Western Hemisphere, working towards sustainable development through the promotion of specific scientific and educational activities. The Center is intended to be a self-supporting entity which will negotiate its services and receive donations to accomplish the development of programmes.

104. Uruguay, as Regional Representative for the Neotropics, thanked Panama for its initiative and its efforts towards its implementation, and recalled the Pan-American regional meeting’s declaration supporting this very strongly.

105. Honduras speaking for Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (GRUCA), affirmed their support for the Ramsar Regional Center Project, as already expressed by the Ministers of Environment and Development during their 19^th meeting in Belize last April and in Ramsar’s Pan-American regional meeting last June in San José. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the training and research activities on Wetlands of International Importance in the western hemisphere. GRUCA expressed the view that the Panamanian initiative will benefit, not only Ramsar but the region as a whole, providing valuable support for future research studies similar to those being implemented by the Caddo Lake Institute and the Friends of the Earth in the Americas.

106. Argentina and Venezuela strongly supported the Panamanian initiative.

107. Senegal supported the Panamanian initiative and hoped that a similar project might someday be undertaken in Africa.

108. Spain supported the Panamanian initiative and requested a formal approach for cooperation in the hope that Spain might be able to assist in more tangible ways in establishing the Ramsar Regional Center.

109. The USA supported the Panamanian initiative wholeheartedly and pointed out that the USA/Ramsar Wetlands for the Future Initiative shares many of the same objectives, and many opportunities for joint actions with the proposed Ramsar Center should be explored.

110. Malaysia congratulated Panama on its initiative and supported the proposal.

Decision SC21.5: The Standing Committee supported the initiative of the Government of Panama to create, in the City of Knowledge, the Ramsar Center for Training and Research in the Western Hemisphere; welcomed the support of countries inside and outside the region; urged further support from Contracting Parties; and urged the Secretary General to support Panama in furthering this initiative.

111. The Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Kam Binns expressed his Government’s appreciation for the support received in this meeting. He stressed that his Government understands this initiative to be part of its commitment to the Wetlands of International Importance, of which there are four in Panama. With this initiative, Panama reaffirms its historical tradition as a meeting place, and there is the hope that Panama will once again become the centre for new developments. He offered special thanks to the delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean for their continuing support, but also recognized the support of CPs from other regions and emphasized that this initiative will be open to them as well.

Second Day, 22 October 1998

Agenda item 9.3: Ramsar Outreach Programme

112. The Deputy Secretary General referred to draft COP7 DOC. 13 on the proposed Outreach Programme, which brings together the Bureau’s efforts on Education, Public Awareness, and Communications (EPAC) and includes some actions for the CPs. The Programme grows from the Strategic Plan’s General Objective 3. The handout is an extract from DOC. 13 which summarizes the Programme from the point of view of the Parties. He noted the paper’s effort to identify target groups and said that the Subgroup asked for more information on the behaviors to be changed within each group.

113. He pointed to ¶ 12 on community empowerment programmes, which is largely a product of the EPAC professionals’ workshop held at the Bureau in September 1998 with support from the Evian Project. Programme Area II is the communications strategy called for by the Strategic Plan and COP6. It is an attempt for the first time to provide the Convention with a new direction in EPA and elevate these efforts in the Convention’s priorities.

114. Canada noted that the Subgroup discussed the Programme carefully and congratulated the Bureau for putting it together. He referred to the actions required from the Administrative Authorities, found on the extract page, most notably the establishment of a network of national focal points and NGO focal points. In federal states, the national authority often has less ability to reach lower levels of government. He drew attention to the role of Wetlands Link and to the presence of reporting deadlines in the document. The Subgroup recommended that the SC approve COP7 DOC. 13 in its draft form.

115. The Deputy Secretary General observed that DOC. 13 will be discussed in Technical Session (TS) III at COP7, and a draft decision could be prepared after the SC’s input, to be introduced through the TS. The EPAC workshop suggested presenting the Programme to COP7 with sponsorship by Australia and possibly other CPs, and using Waterwatch Australia as a model.

116. Hungary (the Chairperson) questioned the use of the word "outreach", which may work in English but certainly not in Hungarian and perhaps other languages. She queried "general community" as a target group, since all members would also belong to some more focused group, and the phrase "landowners and wetland managers". The Chairperson echoed the need for additional information on the target groups and the desired effect upon them. She suggested adding "national NGOs" to group C) 3, and wondered whether Action I.1 in ¶ 12, establishing national programmes, is realistic for wetlands, rather than calling for wetland emphases as part of larger EPAC efforts such as for biodiversity.

117. Italy described DOC. 13 as a good, comprehensive document and asked that "agriculture" be added to D) 2. He felt that "outreach" works well in English and French. He wished for more attention to wetland and water users per se. Italy agreed with the idea of national focal points, and it would be up to the CPs to develop that and choose people who are knowledgeable about Ramsar and able to influence other institutions in the country.

118. WWF International expressed the view that good, detailed points have been raised in DOC. 13, but asked how much national EPAC effort will ever be focused just on Ramsar wetlands, rather than upon freshwater resources, for example. She was inclined to discourage focusing upon EPAC about Ramsar as an end rather than as a tool. But in general, WWF applauds the effort in draft COP7 DOC. 13.

119. Italy has made specific efforts in the season of birds and noted that actions should be specific and fall within broader education campaigns, especially for schoolchildren.

120. The USA noted that National Ramsar Committees (NRCs) are not mentioned in this document and wondered how to involve them.

121. The Deputy Secretary General said that the Bureau was conscious of the need to strengthen the NRC role in the Programme. NRCs, where they exist, should include the EPA focal point, and that will be included in the draft decision.

Decision SC21.6: The Standing Committee decided to approve the Outreach Programme in draft COP7 DOC. 13 in principle, to be further developed for the COP7 Technical Session III, and endorsed the proposal to urge Contracting Parties to establish national Education, Public Awareness, and Communications (EPAC) focal points.

122. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed the Committee’s appreciation for the efforts of those who worked on the draft Outreach document.

Agenda items 9.5, 9.7, and 9.8: Evian Project, Internet capacity building, and outreach materials

123. The Deputy Secretary General supplied background on the evolution of the Evian Project, signed in January 1998, the first significant Ramsar initiative involving the private sector, in this case the Danone Group (France). DOC. 9.5 summarizes the status of Evian Project action themes at present. He cited the Bureau’s survey of the electronic communications capacity of the Administrative Authorities and described the Bureau’s first efforts to provide Web and e-mail access for selected CPs. He pointed out that translations of the Ramsar information pack were presently being made into Chinese, Arabic, and Farsi, including updating the already existing translation into Russian.

124. Canada, Chair of the Outreach Subgroup, reported that the Subgroup studied the documents and applauded the efforts described, but no decisions were called for.

125. The Secretary General explained the Evian Encounter soon to take place, the first of the "high-level roundtables" which will involve, first, the Neotropics, then francophone countries in West Africa, and then Asia, one per year. Most invited CPs are sending relatively high level people who might otherwise seldom be involved in Ramsar affairs. The Encounter will begin in Evian, and then travel to the Camargue to view restoration efforts and research on wetland-related subjects, with assistance from the Biological Station of Tour du Valat.

126. He mentioned that he is exploring possible partnership arrangements with Shell and, if sufficient interest is seen, he will begin negotiations of what kind of mutual benefits can be sought. He hoped to be able to present a firm proposal for next year’s SC meeting.

127. Australia applauded the Bureau’s Internet capacity-building efforts, in view of the very high priority of these communication tools, and was pleased that his colleagues in Papua New Guinea were listed for early assistance.

128. Hungary (the Chairperson) inquired about the "Jewels in the Crown" coffeetable book idea discussed at SC20, and the Secretary General reported that, though Switzerland had kindly offered partial funding, he has not yet been able to secure the remainder. A promising opportunity may exist in his talks with Living Earth of the UK, which expressed interested in producing the book more cheaply in the UK, and this will continue to be explored, but would not yield fruits in time for COP7.

129. Hungary (the Chairperson) affirmed that the Standing Committee has noted the progress being made in these fields, though no decision is called for, and expressed the SC’s appreciation for the efforts of those involved in the Evian Project.

Agenda item 9.9: Virtual Ramsar site

130. The Deputy Secretary General noted that SC21 DOC. 9.9 is intended to update the SC on progress in creating the Virtual Ramsar Site at a wetland education center in Sydney harbor, in conjunction with the 2000 Olympics. With generous support from the Australian federal government and other Australian sources, as well as from the Bureau, the project has developed well and now has a Web site. Further resources are still required, however, but the organizers are very hopeful. The Deputy Secretary General will visit Sydney at the time of the Oceania regional meeting hopefully to assist in encouraging potential donors.

131. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed the Standing Committee’s wishes for the success of the project.

Agenda item 10.1: Preparations for COP7

132. The Secretary General reported on the Subgroup’s view that preparations are on track, though no recommendations were required.

133. Costa Rica made a presentation of the planned layout of the facilities for COP7 and of the tours to be offered to delegates before, during, and after the COP. All of the details will be included in next month’s mailing to the Parties.

134. WWF International queried whether Partner Organizations will also be required to pay for exhibition space. Though this had not been considered, the Secretary General suggested that some space could be made available to the Partners because of their special relationship, but if a lot of space were wanted, they would probably have to pay. The purpose of selling space is to assist Costa Rica in covering the costs of the COP by every possible means. The Chairperson drew attention to MKI Travel’s hotel booking brochure, which will also be included in the mailing; the MKI Web site shows even cheaper accommodation possibilities than are included in the ones officially being offered.

Further discussion
135. revealed that the Technical Sessions’ regional breakouts will be held in the plenary room with partitions up and in the hotel just across the parking lot. There will be organized transport to and from all hotels in the mornings and evenings. Information on visa requirements will be communicated as soon as known, and the Bureau and the Organizing Committee are working with immigration authorities in the hope of getting special dispensations to facilitate visas in the most simple manner, e.g. by making arrangements to grant them upon arrival in San José.

136. Spain noted its strong interest in the success of COP7 and wished to set up cooperation with Costa Rica to ensure the participation of Latin American delegates. He noted the lessons of the recent Dońana disaster, wherein Spain suffered the results of poor coordination. Spain’s National Wetland Policy will strive to coordinate policies in the water sector and may be able to provide a model for others, which will be presented to COP7’s Technical Session I.

137. Costa Rica expressed its gratitude to Spain for its kind offer to assist in supporting COP7.

138. Hungary (the Chairperson) affirmed that the Standing Committee noted the progress of COP7 preparations, thanked Costa Rica for its efforts thus far, and urged the Bureau and Costa Rican authorities to clarify visa requirements in good time.

Agenda item 10.2: Revised Rules of Procedure for the COP

139. The Secretary General noted that COP6 called for revised Rules in line with those of other conventions, especially the CBD, to be adapted for Ramsar needs where necessary. The Subgroup has reviewed the proposed rules and recommended them to the SC with the following amendments. Most notably, Rule 21.3, on the COP President serving as Chair of the SC, should be eliminated; the SC Chair should continue to be elected by the incoming SC members.

Further discussion
140. Specific changes of wording are reflected in the revised Rules of Procedure attached to these minutes, but the Parties expressed the following ideas. Senegal hoped that all tabled documents would be distributed in all three languages, but the Secretary General noted that in exceptional cases of proposals admitted from the floor, simultaneous interpretation should suffice, because written translation would delay the proceedings too much. The Philippines and the USA suggested wording to prevent the proceedings from being stopped on technical grounds, in order to preserve flexibility whilst preventing new proposals from being tabled unexpectedly. The Subgroup recommended adding to the provision for any CP requesting a secret ballot the stipulation that this must be approved by a simple majority of the Parties present and voting, lest one Party retard proceedings with calls for ballots. Further suggestions for amended wording in several Rules focused on provisions for who may call for a ballot and how. Flexibility was added to the requirement that credentials be presented promptly at the beginning of the COP. The USA noted the absence of budget matters from the COP agenda list in Rule 9; the Secretary General explained that the COP is already required to deal with budget matters by the text of the treaty.

141. Uruguay asked that Rule 46.2 be left unresolved until after the discussion of "decisions" in Agenda item 10.3

142. The Secretary General entered into the record the USA’s stipulation in the Subgroup meeting that Rule 40 on adoption of the budget should not be interpreted to mean that Contracting Parties that have not yet accepted the Regina Amendments would be subject to mandatory dues.

143. The UK pointed to inclarities in Rule 4.3 on the process of gaining support of 1/3 of CPs for an extraordinary meeting and Rule 13 on how to circulate papers, and was invited to suggest amended text to the Bureau.

144. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed concern that Rule 3.2, on holding the COP in the Bureau’s host country in the absence of an invitation, should be discussed with Switzerland. Switzerland promised to consult with his government on this matter. It was noted that, in such a situation, "hosting" the COP would not have the normal financial implications of that word; financing would have to come from other source. The Chairperson wondered who, in that case, would pay for the meeting, and the Secretary General observed that this is a problem unique to the Ramsar Convention among other treaties, that no budgetary provision is made for conducting the COP; in the absence of a host willing to bear a large part of the costs of holding the COP, there is no ready alternative. The Netherlands noted that when the CMS received no invitations for its COP, it was able to hold its COP in the UN premises in Geneva using its COP budget line.

Further discussion
145. The SC discussed the desirability of a glossary of equivalent names for government ministries in charge of external relations/foreign affairs, lest Rules requiring signatures of the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" be used to exclude delegates from CPs with other names for such ministries. Concerning Rule 7.1 on qualifications expected in observer NGO delegates, the Bureau would merely make further inquiries of NGOs not already well known to staff. The President of the COP would not be required by Rule 25 to open the next COP personally; a compatriot would automatically be present as a member of the SC. There was caution about opening the Conference Committee to too many observers, lest it become unwieldy, but this Rule refers to the special relationship with the Partners and leaves open the possibility of involving them when necessary. It is understood that delegates, in order to vote, must be duly accredited to the COP by their governments. Malaysia wondered when the proposed Rules would enter into force, and it was understood that they would come into force immediately at the time of the agenda item which, for this Convention, is required as an early item in every meeting, the adoption of the Rules of Procedure. Malaysia and Uganda queried the legality of changing the Rules mid-COP, but the Secretary General expressed confidence that it is common practice for all meetings to adopt their rules at the beginning of the meeting and then follow them.

146. Panama expressed dissatisfaction with Rule 50’s provision for drawing lots in cases of hung balloting and preferred to continue balloting until someone was elected. Panama’s suggested text for Rule 50 was accepted by consensus.

147. Hungary (the Chairperson) proposed to reach a decision on the proposed Rules of Procedure as amended.

Decision SC21.7: The Standing Committee endorsed the proposed Rules of Procedure, with the agreed amendments. (The approved text is attached to these minutes.)

148. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed the SC’s gratitude to the colleagues who worked on the proposed Rules.

Agenda item 10.3: COP decisions

149. The Secretary General reported the Subgroup’s endorsement of the recommendation in ¶ 7 of SC21 DOC. 10.3, that in future all resolutions and recommendations should be referred to as "decisions".

150. Uruguay pointed out that the legal opinions ascertained on the subject do not support that conclusion, do not coincide, and in fact contradict one another. A different solution would appear to be needed. Resolutions and recommendations have been the Ramsar tradition, though there has occasionally been some confusion between them; but there is a difference between them in that resolutions have a binding character. To change to "decisions" may create confusion about intentions of earlier actions. Uruguay urged keeping the present distinction whilst being more careful in their use, and suggested a new proposal for COP7 with definitions of the words "resolution", "recommendation", and "decision".

151. The USA reported that the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.S. State Department advises, as did UNESCO, that the title cannot be changed without amendment of the Convention text. The USA supported Uruguay on continuing to use the traditional terminology of resolutions and recommendations. Article 6 of the treaty establishes that the COP should make "recommendations" to the CPs and that was intentional. Resolutions are to be used for procedural matters; recommendations should be used to call for actions by the CPs and others.

Further discussion
152. Panama supported Uruguay’s recommendation, and the Czech Republic felt that the Resolution/Recommendation distinction is quite clear and that using "decision" would blur that distinction. Senegal explained the distinction in terms of resolutions affecting CPs, which have voluntarily accepted the Convention’s obligations, and recommendations being made to others who have not accepted those obligations. Others noted that voting Parties may "resolve" that they themselves will do something but may only "recommend" that others should do something. Uganda and Hungary called for these terms to be defined in the Rules of Procedure.

Decision SC21.8: The Standing Committee determined that the Convention will continue to make the distinction between resolutions and recommendations in official terminology, and may use the generic term "decisions" in the Rules of Procedure to refer to both.

Agenda item 10.4: National Reports and the preparation of Regional Overviews

153. The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup considered and accepted without amendment the Bureau’s proposed method for compiling and presenting the Regional Overviews at COP7, that in effect the Regional Representatives will introduce each Regional Overview and the Bureau’s Regional Coordinators will then deliver the summary presentation aided by a PowerPoint presentation.

Decision SC21.9: The Standing Committee endorsed the Bureau’s proposed method for creating and presenting the Regional Overviews at COP7 based upon the National Reports.

154. Hungary (the Chairperson) urged all Contracing Parties to submit their National Reports if they have not yet done so.

155. The Secretary General proposed combining the Regional Overviews for the Eastern and Western European regions into one presentation and invited the Regional Representatives from these regions to provide input on that idea.

Agenda item 10.5: The WCMC feasibility study on harmonized information management infrastructure for the five biodiversity-related conventions

156. The Secretary General reported on the Subgroup’s endorsement of the Bureau’s recommendations on the follow-up to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre study, which was commissioned and funded by the five biodiversity-related conventions (Ramsar, CBD, CITES, CMS, and World Heritage), and urged that the SC endorse the Bureau’s continuing its involvement in this project, as expressed in ¶ 9 of DOC. 10.5.

157. The Deputy Secretary General related that there have been two workshops involving the five conventions mentioned above, the first in Geneva at the policy level involving himself and the second, recently in Bonn, at the technical level involving Mr Peck, and that action is moving forward. The workshops both agreed to put the WCMC final report forward to the Standing Committee-equivalents of each convention. The technical workshop agreed upon ways to implement quickly the low-cost recommendations, such as a common Web "entry page" for all five conventions, and tasked WCMC with presenting concrete proposals for the more costly items. The cost estimates came from the first workshop, with suggestions for attracting assistance, with UNEP support, from GEF among others. The preliminary steps have much smaller budgets. There is no expectation that the Convention’s core budget would ever be needed to implement the recommendations contained in Section V.2 of the WCMC report.

158. The Netherlands considered these efforts to be extremely important despite their high costs and long timeframe and believed they would save money in the long term. He saw the WCMC study as more of a gap analysis, with the real work of harmonizing yet to be done. He urged that a distinction be made between reporting at the international and national levels. He wondered why the Bern Convention had not been included, which has much in common with these concerns.

159. The Secretary General speculated that the absence of the Bern Convention might be because of its regional nature or merely because the secretariat chose not to participate in contributing to fund the study.

160. Italy noted that the Bern Convention is important in Europe and urged that its inclusion in this effort be investigated both with the Bern secretariat and with WCMC. The Chair tasked the Bureau with inquiring into possible Bern Convention participation.

161. Panama queried whether FCCC and CCD intended to bring the WCMC study to their upcoming COPs, and the Secretary General noted that it is really for WCMC, not Ramsar, to make those inquiries.

Decision SC21.9 bis: The Standing Committee endorsed the Bureau’s intention to progress its cooperation in the WCMC proposals for the development of harmonized convention information resources and a lessons-learned network, and endorsed in principle the WCMC recommendations on streamlined national reporting. The Committee requested the Bureau to prepare an agenda paper and draft decision for COP7 on follow-through with the WCMC harmonization project and urged that the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification, and possibly the Bern Convention, be encouraged to participate in the project. The Committee authorized the Chairperson to approve the draft decision to be sponsored by the SC to COP7, after the Bureau has circulated the draft decision to all SC members for comment.

Agenda item 10.6(a): Report of the Standing Committee to COP7

162. The Secretary General reported on the Subgroup’s recommendation that the Standing Committee endorse the SC report.

Decision SC21.10: The Standing Committee accepted the draft Standing Committee report, to be finalized and transmitted to the COP.

Agenda item 10.6(b): Report of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP)

163. Dr Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, chairperson of the STRP, reported on the progress of the STRP and noted the membership of the STRP for this triennium, with Makoto Komoda, Mihály Vegh, Roberto Schlatter, Allan Smith, Keith Thompson, François Letourneux, and herself, with alternate member Max Finlayson attending all meetings because of his expertise in the matters in hand. Dr Smith resigned after the first year and was replaced by Mauricio Cervantes Abrego. The STRP was also assisted by the Partner Organizations, and she acknowledged especially David Pritchard and John O’Sullivan of BirdLife International, Scott Frazier and Nick Davidson of Wetlands International, Jean-Yves Pirot of IUCN, and a number of experts from WWF.

164. Dr Ntiamoa-Baidu noted that STRP tasks were mandated by COP6 and the Strategic Plan, and the Bureau assisted by identifying 10 areas of priority. At its first meeting, the STRP reprioritized these and moved forward on all four issues they identified as most important: 1) the Ramsar Criteria, 2) monitoring and ecological character, 3) management planning guidelines, and 4) restoration and rehabilitation.

165. On the Criteria, the STRP found the existing Criteria to be basically sound but recommended reorganization into two groupings, on representativeness and uniqueness and on biodiversity. The STRP recommended including human use values in the guidelines to the Criteria rather than in the Criteria themselves. The SC asked the STRP to reconsider that recommendation with two representatives from the social sciences present, and in its next meeting the STRP reached the same conclusion, proposing to reorganize the Criteria into two groups, revise their language to remove ambiguities, and develop the guidelines further. She drew attention to Bronwen Golder’s STRP contribution, to the effect that the Convention asks for designation on natural science grounds, but that, once sites have been designated, it is necessary to pay particular attention to socio-economic issues in order to manage the sites effectively, and thus urging further development of the Wise Use principles. She feared losing the focus and diluting the effect of designating Wetlands of International Importance if human use criteria were included in the Criteria.

166. The STRP pursued further the definitions of ecological character and change in ecological character and has proposed new language to modernize these and remove ambiguities.

167. Drs Komoda and Schlatter conducted a study of the effectiveness of the Ramsar Management Planning Guidelines and found no need to change them significantly.

168. On restoration, the STRP received a comprehensive report from Mihály Végh. A full report on all of these STRP issues will be prepared for COP7.

169. Senegal called for more attention to human use issues. He likened SC discussions of human use issues to a dialogue of the deaf and could not believe that all of the sites on the Ramsar map were designated on natural science grounds only.

170. Dr Ntaimoa-Baidu replied that the STRP does not at all doubt the immense importance of wetlands to people and observed that, being from Ghana, she knows this at first hand in the African context. But what makes a wetland important, gives it its character, is not the use it’s put to. Once the wetland is ecologically sound, the human uses do not determine its character as a wetland of international importance, which is the purpose of the Criteria.

171. Uganda questioned why hydrological values had been taken out of the Criteria, and Dr Ntaimoa-Baidu explained that the existence of each wetland is so interlinked with its hydrology that the hydrological values are implied in the first Criterion and will be further brought out in the Guidelines.

172. Italy stated that the discussion was reminiscent of conflicts between stakeholders and strict preservationists. From its beginnings, Ramsar has evolved much more widely and now embraces socio-economic realities. Ecology must be seen in the broad scope. The document is modern and includes the need to measure the impact on values in the wetlands in order to be sustainable. It recognizes that protected areas cannot remain as islands.

173. The USA valued the STRP view that the existing Criteria do have implications on social and economic concerns, but believed it should be possible to develop criteria based on transfrontier hydrological systems. For example, the Pantanal, which is part of several states, impacts on many social factors like flood control, commerce, and transportation.

174. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that one of the COP7 Technical Sessions will deal with all of these issues, that the STRP will report to COP7, and that a draft decision is planned. She urged that the SC let the COP consider the whole matter; the SC cannot now take a stand on this, but all comments will be recorded. Each of the STRP products mentioned is being covered under a different Agenda item in this meeting. She thanked the STRP members for their work and congratulated Dr Ntiamoa-Baidu for having chaired the Panel so effectively. She encouraged the STRP members to continue their work in the preparation of documents for the COP.

Agenda item 10.6(c): Report of the Secretary General or Ramsar Bureau

175. The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup accepted the form of the report for COP7, with the wish that the report include a progress report on implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Decision SC21.11: The Standing Committee endorsed the proposed structure of the Bureau’s report to the COP, which should be presented as the Report of the Secretary General.

Agenda item 10.7(a) on Draft decisions in preparation: Rules of acceptance of NGO partners

176. The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup recommended the draft decision to the SC but amended Rule 4 to stipulate that all of the following characteristics must be fulfilled, not just any of them. The proposed rules were expanded from non-governmental organizations to cover intergovernmental organizations as well. He noted that the four Partners all suggested amendments to Canada’s draft from last year, and all were incorporated. The COP would have to recognize the status of any new Partners.

177. Canada averred that the Rule 4 requirements are far too restrictive and recommended removing the word "all" and changing "most" to "many". He found this a project designed for failure, which will preclude rather than promote new partnerships.

178. The Secretary General agreed and noted that some involved in the process had been nervous about including too many new partners indiscriminately.

179. The USA agreed with Canada and the SG and hoped that Ramsar would encourage new partners, perhaps with an informal MOU for a trial period of two years, for example. The rules as given are intimidating. A new category might be added, such as associate rather than partner.

180. Italy applauded the fact that the Ramsar Convention has been so open to cooperative partnerships and hoped it would be receptive to new ones. Young groups with little experience but a lot of good will should be encouraged to participate.

181. Australia preferred only one partner category and suggested changing the requirement of fulfilling "most" of the characteristics to "many" in Rule 4.1, and changing Rule 4 to "taking into account the following characteristics". Malaysia supported the Australian suggestion.

Decision SC21.12: The Standing Committee determined to adopt the proposed draft decision for COP7 and new rules for acceptance of new partner organizations, with the inclusion of Australia’s amendments to the wording.

Agenda item: The Ramsar Database

182. Scott Frazier, Ramsar/Wetland Sites Officer, Wetlands International AEME, reported on the status of the Ramsar Database and observed that the quality of the data continues steadily to improve. Whereas only 62% of sites had RIS or equivalent at the SC meeting of October 1994, now 76.5% have, and only 7% have no appreciable data. 4% have no map, 24% have poor maps, 28% have good maps, a slight improvement over last year. Wetlands International provided reports for five Ramsar meetings in the past year and participated in three of them. Programming for streamlined entry of data is nearing completion. Wetlands International - Africa Europe Middle East has secured funding to develop a Web presence for the Database; presently this is in the form of a "Graphical Profile", and a new profile on application of the Criteria has recently been added for the seven regions. The next step is to provide remote user access to the Database, but development of this will not commence until after COP7. The user will be able to ask a number of questions and pursue an interactive map from region to country to individual site.

183. Mr Frazier noted that a comprehensive update of the Directory of Wetlands of International Importance is planned for COP7, in wordprocessor and pure text formats rather than printed. The deadline for inclusion of data in this Directory is the end of the year. The Goverment of the Netherlands through RIZA is providing funds for a revised edition of the Global Overview of Ramsar Sites and 31 December is the deadline for inclusion of data in that publication.

184. Hungary (the Chairperson) thanked Mr Frazier for his report and commented on the evident value of taking the trouble to complete the RIS properly and provide good information for the Database.

Agenda item 10.7(b): Vision for the Ramsar List

185. The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup 1) noted places where more work was needed on DOC. 10.7(b), 2) called for a consultation meeting in January, and 3) had no amendments to suggest to the karst proposal.

186. The Deputy Secretary General recounted the history of the Vision project. The exercise is largely built around the STRP’s work on the Criteria, including reorganization and the human uses issue. At the same time, Canada challenged SC20 to establish a vision for the Ramsar List and its long-term goals. SC21 DOC. 10.7(b)’s attached draft COP7 DOC. 13.3 is very much a work in progress, but it proposes a preliminary text for this vision, linking each Ramsar Criterion to its objectives and including a glossary. The document has been through five iterations and will probably need as many more before COP7. The purpose is to give the CPs tools to help take a strategic approach to the designation of new sites for the List. The Subgroup’s input will be worked into further drafts of the document. David Stroud, BirdLife International, Wetlands International, and many anothers have assisted greatly, and more CPs should be drawn into the project as the draft document evolves. The proposed focused workshop in January 1999 is a good idea, though its financial implications need further study.

187. Canada continued its challenge to answer the question: what do we do with the List? The goal is now to conserve the biological diversity of wetlands. We need to give people the tools to determine what to do with the List. Canada has tabled another document, an idea-piece suitable for discussion, upon which no decision is required now.

188. The Secretary General expressed his excitement about this process and foresaw an excellent new product, and was very grateful to all who have been working on it. He was concerned that all the contributors so far have come from developed countries, despite attempts to draw in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. He hoped to assure that the planned January workshop would have a better balance in that respect.

189. Senegal, considering the overall objectives of the Convention, noted the absence of human and social aspects from the vision draft and from Canada’s document. The documents were prepared by scientists in the area of natural sciences but they need input from socio-economic experts as well.

190. BirdLife International noted that its input in the Vision process has been garnered from BirdLife sources in both the developed and developing countries. He asked that the meeting record his strong view expressed in the Subgroup that Part III of the draft text which refers to human use values as indicators of international importance in BirdLife’s view runs counter to the advice of the STRP and should be changed. He reiterated BirdLife’s opening remarks on the importance of the Vision exercise, which should set out strategic purposes for systematically constructing the right total List by reference to defined objectives. Some such objectives have been implied in the past, e.g. in Article 3.1 on wise use and Part 4 of the Preamble to the Convention (on stemming loss) and in the Strategic Plan and the Conference recommendation on under-represented habitat types. But there has been no explicit expression of what should be "captured" in the List for it to be adequate for its purpose. The paper submitted by Canada is helpful in indicating how the List can best be capitalized upon when it is in place, and this should probably slot in behind a framework which helps with decisions about constructing the right List in the first place. He concluded by affirming that an articulation of the Vision will be an historic step for the Convention if it is done in the right way.

191. The UK welcomed the development of the Vision document, offered further assistance to its development, and pointed out that the new Criteria do not mention hydrology though that is explicit grounds for site selection both in Article 2 of the Convention and the current Criteria. Especially given the Convention’s developing focus on water resource issues, enhanced guidance with respect to site selection on hydrological grounds will need to be developed.

192. Italy observed that we need to account for what goes on around the listed sites, the socio-economic issues. We cannot exclude humans but we must fix limits: that is the dilemma. It is difficult to set a threshold especially where traditional forms of use are involved. Designation for the Ramsar List should not be just for image, it should assist in creating a biogeographical network. In this sense, COP7 DOC. 13.3 is very good.

193. Hungary (the Chairperson) promised that the comments have been recorded for input into DOC. 13.3 and noted the STRP’s opinion on the human uses issue, with the requested two relevant experts. She hoped that the January workshop will involve diverse input.

Decision SC21.13: The Standing Committee endorsed the approach being undertaken by the Bureau to provide Parties with improved Criteria and guidance for their application, and endorsed the further development of COP7 DOC. 13.3 on a Vision for the Ramsar List and associated draft decision. The Committee encouraged the Bureau and others to continue their work on the document and draft decision, possibly through a small workship in the near future.

194. The Regional Coordinator for Europe, Tim Jones, broached the issue of karst and other subterranean hydrological systems and noted that, despite Brisbane Resolution VI.5, no karst systems have yet been designated for the Ramsar List. The National Reports show that guidance is needed on this subject. Hungary and Slovenia have been working on such guidance and a draft decision is intended. The Subgroup discussed this and suggested adding a new point to the draft document concerning the importance of these systems as a source of water for Wetlands of International Importance. He pointed out that, though this now exists as a separate draft decision, it is intended to form part of the Vision, Criteria, and Guidelines, following adoption at COP7.

195. Italy supported this work on karst zones and was sorry to have been unable to attend the Slovenia meeting. Italy urged that this work be progressed.

Decision SC21.14: The Standing Committee endorsed the work being done on guidelines for designating karst and other subterranean hydrological systems and encouraged further development upon it.

Agenda item 10.7(c): Framework for developing National Wetland Policies

196.The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup had no comments on the document and recommended the Committee’s endorsement and sponsorship of the draft decision for COP7. He explained the background of the National Wetland Policy guidelines and acknowledged the work of Clayton Rubec of Canada with input from others, including Paul Mafabi of Uganda. He asked the SC to give the Bureau and the drafters the authority to make further revisions.

197. Canada noted that the document requires one further draft to add further policies identified in the National Reports and two short case study essays, and thanked the Committee for the opportunity to work on this project.

198. The Netherlands asked whether the terminology might be broadened, in line with the Convention’s expanded mandate, to National Wetlands and Water Policies, but it was felt that such an expansion would require considerable reworking of the document.

199.Uganda noted that the Pan-African regional meeting in Kampala had urged that Parties be encouraged to assist other CPs in developing their NWPs.

200. The Deputy Secretary General gave an example of the desired international cooperation on developing NWPs, when Jim McCuaig from Canada came to assist the Australian Government, and later the Deputy Secretary General, having since joined the Bureau, passed on that experience to Botswana in developing its own NWP. There are now many people who have experience in developing NWPs and this document reflects many lessons learned.

Decision SC21.15: The Standing Committee endorsed the draft decision on National Wetland Policies and its annex and agreed to sponsor the draft decision for the COP.

Agenda item 10.7(d): Guidelines for review of laws and institutions

201. The Secretary General reported that the Subgroup endorsed the draft decision and annexed guidelines prepared by the IUCN Environmental Law Centre, and noted that the Bureau is very happy with the results of the project.

202. Canada inquired whether the background papers would be published before COP7, to which the Secretary General replied that, if they can be published, it could not be by then. Neither IUCN nor the Bureau has sufficient resources, and the same is true of the case studies compiled on community participation with seed money from WWF International. Canada asked what level of funding was being sought for this purpose. The Secretary General estimated that the funding required for each publication and distribution to the developing countries would be about SFR 15,000 per language version.

203. Australia observed that the paper used a very prescriptive approach to the Review Team and some aspects throughout the document may not suit or apply to all circumstances.

204. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that the Committee is being asked to sponsor many documents which are not yet finished, and which should eventually be translated into local languages in the Parties, and she implored the drafters to write as clearly as possible, with as little jargon as may be, in order to assist translation.

Decision SC21.16: The Standing Committee agreed to endorse the draft decision and annexed guidelines on review of laws and institutions and to sponsor them for transmission to the COP.

Agenda item 10.7(e): Guidelines on local communities and indigenous people

205. The Secretary General described this project as promising another important set of tools and hoped that the COP will adopt it. It has been a long process, spearheaded by the IUCN Social Policy Group but including WWF, the Kushiro International Wetlands Centre in Japan, and the Caddo Lake Institute in the USA, with many more people involved in the workshops and inputting to the draft document. The Subgroup invited the Standing Committee to sponsor the draft decision to the COP.

206. The Subgroup only recommended amendment of the wording of ¶ 13 of the draft decision from "further urges" to "invites" and removal of the words "full range of" from stakeholders in the same paragraph.

207. The Netherlands noted that no mention was made in the document of the International Labour Organization's Convention 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, and it was agreed that this reference would be included in the preamble of the draft decision.

Decision SC21.17: The Standing Committee endorsed the draft Guidelines and agreed to sponsor the draft decision (with the minor changes in the text requested) to the COP.

Agenda item 10.7(f): Alien/invasive species affecting wetlands

208. The Deputy Secretary General asked the Standing Committee to note the progress made and provide advice as appropriate. This will be a Key Issues topic for COP7. IUCN has indicated its willingness to provide leadership on developing terms of reference for a keynote speaker.

209. Australia said that WWF Australia has proposed a draft decision and there have been discussions about linking this draft with IUCN’s work on this important issue. He invited input from other Parties as well.

210. Senegal hoped that aquatic weeds, as a major challenge for both East and West Africa, would receive due attention.

211. Wetlands International suggested that SBSTTA’s work on this problem should be sought out in contacts with Peter Schei, and the Deputy Secretary General promised that Ramsar will invite the CBD to work together on this issue.

212. Canada has long focused on this and has many documents available. Canada would like to be involved in the process.

213. Hungary (the Chairperson) noted that the Standing Committee has only been asked to note progress on this topic, and it has been so noted.

Agenda items 10.7(g) (l) and (m) on incentives and impact assessment

214. The Deputy Secretary General noted that these three issues have been integrated into two papers for Technical Sessions III and IV. Terms of references have been finalized for the two papers and they will be linked together. They will provide a way forward on the incentives issue, how Parties can examine institutions to locate conditions that will encourage bad behavior ("perverse incentives") and steps to be taken to encourage desired behavior.

215. On the issue of Environmental Impact Assessment, much progress was made at COP6 but it needs to be pushed forward to include new ideas on Strategic Environmental Assessment and Social Impact Assessment as well as environmental impacts. This is a strong point of cooperation with the CBD. The Bureau will participate in an upcoming workshop involving the CBD aimed at developing a paper for the COP7. A number of COP7 products can be brought directly to the SBSTTA meeting about 10 days after Ramsar’s COP7. David Pritchard of BirdLife is the foremost advocate in the Ramsar family on the EIA issue and has been recognized by the International Association of Environmental Assessment as Ramsar’s spokeperson. The papers will be in draft form by the end of the year.

216. Hungary (the Chairperson) affirmed that the Standing Committee noted the progress being made in these areas.

Agenda item 10.7(h): Restoration and rehabilitation of wetlands

217. The Deputy Secretary General observed that the STRP has given a high priority to this issue, and because the regional meetings showed a greater interest than had been foreseen, the Bureau gave the issue greater prominence in the preparation of the Technical Sessions for COP7. The Bureau has been working closely with Hans Skotte Möller and Palle Uhd Jepsen of Denmark; it has been agreed to bring the issue forward with a paper focused on how governments can integrate restoration into national planning. Nick Davidson has brought in the Wetlands International Specialist Group. The Bureau is helping to seek worldwide input, with good results, most notably from New Zealand among others.

218. Hungary (the Chairperson) affirmed that the Standing Committee has noted the actions currently under way.

Agenda item 10.7(i): Global action to preserve peatlands and mires

219.The Deputy Secretary General referred to the Secretary General’s statement to the Society of Wetland Scientists’ general assembly in Anchorage, which was conveyed by Ed Maltby, and commented on the strong response this has evoked from SWS for follow-up; he foresaw a lot of cooperation with the SWS in future, especially through their proposed observer status on the STRP.

220. Canada has long been interested in peatland issues and looks forward to a planned workshop at the GBF preceding COP7, where a session is being planned on the Global Carbon Challenge and the connections between biodiversity and global carbon trading and how that impacts the Ramsar Convention. He hoped that a draft decision can be devised that will build upon that GBF product.

221. Hungary (the Chairperson) thanked Canada for its work so far and IUCN as well. The Standing Committee has noted these developments with appreciation.

Agenda item 10.7(j): Management Planning Guidelines

222. The Deputy Secretary General described the study undertaken by Drs Komoda and Schlatter of the STRP, following up on how effective the Management Planning Guidelines (Kushiro, 1993) have been. Though there was a disappointing response to the two questionnaires, the authors had sufficient input to arrive at some clear conclusions and recommendations. The Guidelines are proving useful in most cases, but the Convention needs to incorporate more modern practices. The authors noted that the complexity of the Guidelines causes some problems and the study urged more training in applying them. The study urged that the STRP provide supplementary guidance on impact assessment, zoning and multiple use principles, buffer zones, the precautionary principle, and cost-benefit analysis. He congratulated Drs Komoda and Schlatter for their comprehensive study and clear set of recommendations.

223. Hungary (the Chairperson) expressed concern that so few replies to the STRP’s questionnaire had been forthcoming: a great deal of energy goes into developing guidelines, and if we have them made, we should try to use them.

224. The Standing Committee took note of the results of the STRP’s study of the effectiveness of the Management Planning Guidelines and expressed its special gratitude to Drs Komoda and Schlatter for their efforts.

Third day, 23 October 1998

Agenda item 10.15: Status of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the Ramsar Convention

225. The Secretary General referred to SC21 DOC. 10.15 and apologized that there is a significant error in paragraph 4: rather than indicating that UNESCO has decided to accept the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) as a successor to the original member, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it should read that UNESCO has not so accepted the FRY. He explained that he has been concerned about this issue since it was raised at COP6 but not resolved, and lest it arise at COP7 and consume too much valuable time he asked the Standing Committee to help to resolve the matter in advance.

226. He reported that there was no consensus on the issue in the Subgroup on COP7, and that the Subgroup Chair, Costa Rica, was asked to prepare a recommendation for the SC. Costa Rica’s recommendation has been tabled and in essence urges that, because Security Council Resolution No. 777 (1992) and UN General Assembly Resolution No. 47/1 (1992) did not recognize the FRY as the successor state to the former SFR of Yugoslavia, the Standing Committee should seek advice from the legal office of UNESCO, the depositary of the Convention, to clarify the status of the FRY with regard to the Ramsar Convention, based on the text of the Convention, and convey in writing the results of this clarification to all Contracting Parties before COP7.

227. Hungary (the Chairperson) observed that the purpose of this is to prepare ourselves to discuss the issue at the COP more efficiently.

228.Australia referred to its position expressed in its statement made to COP6, which was printed in the Proceedings, and noted that Australia’s position remains the same, that the FRY is not the automatic successor state to the SFR of Yugoslavia. Australia queried whether UNESCO is the appropriate body from which to seek legal opinion. He felt that Costa Rica’s recommendation does provide a way forward to the COP.

229. Hungary (the Chairperson) observed that UNESCO is the official depositary of the Convention and the only body to which the secretariat can turn on legal matters concerning membership.

230. The Secretary General concurred that the only impartial source of legal advice for the Convention would be the depositary. That advice could be challenged, but not the source of the advice.

231. Australia accepted that explanation but suggested that the Bureau should seek additional information about how the issue has been handled in other bodies of the United Nations.

232. The USA presented its position that the SFR of Yugoslavia has ceased to exist and in the place where it was we now have Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the FYR of Macedonia, Slovenia, and the FRY. UN Security Council Resolution 777 and General Assembly Resolution 47/1 made clear that the FRY is not the sole successor to the SFR of Yugoslavia and that the FRY is not a member of the United Nations, but rather should apply for membership in the UN as have the other four states. The FRY has not done so. Each of the five present states has the same rights and responsibilities. Corollary issues pending resolution of the succession from the SFRY include the disposition of assets of the former Yugoslavia, and it is important that the attempt by the FRY to portray itself as the successor to that state not be given credibility in international forums.

233. The USA believes that the Standing Committee has the authority to act on this issue by virtue of Resolution 3.3 (Regina, 1987) and asked the Bureau not to communicate with the FRY as if it were a Contracting Party, so that it will not attend the COP. The USA noted Costa Rica’s suggestion to seek legal advice from UNESCO and hoped that that would be done in plenty of time so that a draft decision can be brought to COP7.

234. Senegal stressed the importance of the principle of the political issue of membership in the Convention and noted that he was not empowered by his government to make decisions of an important political nature. He urged that a concrete resolution be circulated in advance and considered by COP7 when delegates will have had a chance to come with guidance from their governments.

235. Canada stated that his government had asked him to make a statement to the effect that Canada concurs with the position of the USA, that the FRY should not be considered as a member of the Ramsar Convention and the Bureau should not transmit materials to the FRY. Legal advice should be sought from UNESCO, but the FRY should not be treated as a Contracting Party in the meantime.